Watchmen on the Wall – Preparing the Heart and Home for the Master’s Arrival
Bible Study Guide (Olivet Discourse – End Times Series)
Introduction: The Call of the Watchman
From Genesis to Revelation, we see foreshadows of a watchman on the wall. God raises up watchmen to guard His people, warn of danger, and announce the coming of the King.
In the Old Testament, prophets were set as watchmen on the wall, standing day and night, ready to sound the alarm. In the New Testament, Jesus calls every believer to that same vigilance—watching for His return, warning others, and waiting with readiness.
As prophetic signs converge all around us, the call of the watchman grows more urgent by the day.
📖 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.” (Ezekiel 3:17)
📖 “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest,” (Isaiah 62:6)
The Urgency of Watchfulness
(Verses 42-44)
📖“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)
Jesus gives us a clear warning to be watchful. To watch, share the signs that we see aligning with Bible prophecy and to wait.
- Like a city guard who never knew the moment of attack, believers cannot know the exact hour of Christ’s return.
- Jesus compares His coming to a “thief in the night”—sudden and unexpected to the unprepared.
- Today’s convergence of prophetic signs—deception, wars, Israel’s rebirth, global systems of control, moral collapse, nations in chaos—reminds us we are in the final moments before His appearing.
📖 “I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint.” (Habakkuk 2:1)
The return of Christ like a “thief in the night” is echoed throughout the New Testament.
📖“for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
📖“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (2 Peter 3:10)
Jesus’ warning to be a watchman on the wall doesn’t end here in His Olivet Discourse. He adds two more warnings in the last book of the Bible – Revelation.
📖“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” (Revelation 3:3)
📖“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)
The watchman on the wall lives with eyes open, scanning the horizon for the Master’s return. Always spiritually ready for the return of the Lord. They are a beacon of light for others. Shining the truth of prophecy in order to help others discern the signs of the times.
RAPTURE VS. SECOND COMING (Comparison Chart)
The Faithful Watchman on the Wall
(Verses 45-47)
📖“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” (Matthew 24:45-46)
The faithful servant stays at his post, caring for the household until the Master arrives. He feeds others with truth, encourages, and stays spiritually prepared. We must never lose faith while assuming the Lord delays His return. It’s not delay but a desire to extend mercy and forgiveness to as many as possible.
📖“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Christ promises blessing and reward for those who remain faithful. This will come when we stand in the presence of Christ to give an account for what good we did with the gifts we were blessed with.
✅ The faithful watchman:
- Shares the gospel urgently. Helps others discern the prophetic signs of our time.
- Lives holy, set apart. They will be known by their love.
- Encourages others to prepare their hearts and homes and makes new watchmen.
- Will not be surprised by the return of Christ when He comes to gather His Church.
📖“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.” (Luke 12:35-36)
The Unfaithful Watchman on the Wall
(Verses 48-51) The careless servant becomes distracted and indulgent and allows his faith to weaken. He ignores the lateness of the hour and God’s long-suffering, only to be caught off guard.
He will not be expecting Christ’ return when He does come. For them, it will be like in the days of Noah. Judgment falls swiftly and harshly on the unprepared. God takes the role of the watchman very seriously. With great knowledge and wisdom comes great responsibility.
📖“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)
📖 “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.” (Ezekiel 33:6)
In the end times, complacency is deadly. Silence when signs are converging is disobedience. Don’t be caught off guard or deceived by the evil one.
Living as Watchmen on the Wall in the End Times
- Watch – Stay spiritually awake (Mark 13:33).
- Warn – Sound the alarm about Christ’s imminent return (Ezekiel 33:7–9).
- Wait – Endure with hope, looking for the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13).
Signs Converging Today:
- ✅ Israel restored (Ezekiel 36–37).
- ✅ Deception: both worldly and faith based (Matthew 24:4).
- ✅ Wars & rumors of wars (Matthew 24:6).
- ✅ Rise of global governance (Revelation 13).
- ✅ Moral collapse & lawlessness (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
- ✅ Growing hostility toward Israel, Christians & truth (Zechariah 12:3).
How To Make Watchmen of Others
The calling of a watchman is not just personal—it is contagious. A true watchman on the wall helps awaken others around him to prepare for Christ’s return. Here are practical ways:
- Sound the Alarm with Scripture – Share God’s Word about watchfulness (Matthew 24, Ezekiel 33, 1 Thessalonians 5).
- Live as an Example – Model readiness by living holy and alert in a careless world.
- Teach & Disciple – Direct and equip others with prophecy and end-times teaching so they too can stand watch.
- Encourage Urgency – Remind fellow believers that Christ’s return is imminent, not distant.
- Pray Together – Strengthen others in prayer, keeping the flame of watchfulness burning in community.
A true watchman multiplies watchmen, until the household of faith is awake, prepared, and looking upward.
Conclusion: The Watchman’s Urgency
Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:42–51 is crystal clear: Be ready.
The true watchman on the wall does not sleep, grow weary, or dismiss the lateness of the hour. He keeps his heart pure, his home in order, and his eyes fixed on the skies, longing for the Master’s return.
Final Charge: Will you take your place on the wall—watching, warning, and waiting—so that when the trumpet sounds, you are found faithful and ready?
📖 “ It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ” — Luke 12:37
🙏 Closing Prayer: Preparedness of Heart
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for calling us to be watchmen on the wall in these final days. Awaken our hearts to the lateness of the hour, and keep us from complacency or distraction. Help us to watch with clear eyes, warn with boldness, and wait with steadfast hope for the return of Jesus. Make us faithful in our homes, our churches, and our communities, raising up other watchmen who will stand alert with us. May we be found ready when the trumpet sounds, pure in heart and faithful in service. We long for the day when our Master returns.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
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